Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-09-29
MAINE BOARD OF AGRIoULTURg.
The Interesting Report of Secretary Gil
bert.
A Valuable Contribution to Maine Liter..
ture.

Inc report OF Hon. L. A. Gilbert, Secretary
OF the Maine Board of Agriculture, for 1885,
has just made its appearance, and is a valua-
Bile contribution to the literature of the State.
The volume is substantially bound, conven-
iently indexed, and contains 1911 pages. 1t
opens with condensed review of rhe wear
which presents in small compass the agri.
cultural history of Maine during that period.
From this We quote the following statement
concerning the years crop:
''The crops of the year gave no remarkable
return in any direction. The grass crop, the
chief reliance of the farm, was something
| above an average, though not as large as the
famous crops o. 1882 and 1888. Comparing
figures formerly given and on the same basis.
the crop of the State would reach one and a
quarter millions of tons. This was harvested
in fairly average condition. 10 fact, with the
equipments for haying now at hand and
greater experience in their use, the hay is
secured under like conditions of weather in
much better order than was the case for.
merly. I.
the early part of the summer was too cool
for pushing the corn int, an early growth and
as consequence the crop was somewhat re-
duced in yield. The area devoted to sweet
corn for canning was larger than the previous
year, owing to better demand for the product.
and this swelled in a measure the aggregate
area of the crop in the State to a full average.
With the improved culture now given the
crop, the anfavorable westher was in
measure overcome and the yield was up to
average results. The contract price was
three ceots per can Of twenty six ounces.
Potatoes we're an average crop in area and
in yield. Aroostook County is still the great
potato field Of the State The better trans
portation facilities send much larger pro-
portion of the crop to distant markets than
formerly, so that the starch industry is not
on the increase in that section. In fact
starch can only be manufactured from cheap
potatoes.
The crop of grain Of the different kinds did
not yield equal to the great crops of the two
previous years, but was above an average
The appreciation of growing grain for home
use is somewhat on the increase and the area
has slightly extended in consequence. The
low price Of fl 'ur from western wheat is still
crowding out the wheat crop and its place is
being taken by other kinds OF grain. What
is termed "mxed grain" or a mixture OF
barley and oats, with wheat sometimes added,
is in favor with many farmers and is now
largely grown tor stock feed.
The apple crop of the State was an
abundant one, making the third crop in sue
cession. This is quite remarkable IN the
history of apple production, the experience
! formerly having been that bountitul crops
alternate with barren years about eqnsliy.
The aggregate crop in the State has not
widely differed in each of the last three
years. The benefits of this succession of
crops to the State has been sensibly felt.
Some of the crop was sold early after har-
! al Ialf
barrel, but the larger part of the crop
realized from two to three dollars, and for
late sales the price went ever higher New
orchards are rapidly coming into bearing
and the business of fruit production is
destined to be of still more Importance
among US
Changes ~ t1e live stock interests are chief
| " in the dir cton of an increase of dairy
stock Breeds noted for milk and butter pro-
duct!on are receiving marked attention. An
imals of Holste in-Fliesian blood, both bulls
and cows, have been introduced in various
sections of the State, and in numbers suf-
cent to soon determine from practical work
their adaptation TO our conditions.
Dsiryng Ia on the increase, and especially
40 in those sections where creameries have
been successfully established. This method
of work is proving to be well suited to our
warts, and new enterprises of the kind are
being established During the year creame
res have been started at West Paris, Acton
and Lvermore, and several others are
organized in still other sections.
On the other hand, the beef interests have
encountered continuous low prices through
out the year. which has produced depressing
effect on the business. Seven to seven and a
half cents have been the top prices for the
best oxen. At such figures the business does
not commend itself TO the favor or the Judg-
ment of our farmers. The introduction of
Chicago dressed beef into all our cities and
large towns has monopolized the trade in beef
through the winter months almost entirely
How long this may continue remains to be
known, but if the present low prices continue
the efforts which have been made to encourage
the making of beef 10 the State will fail of
expected results.
! A slight rise in wool during the year gave
a wave of encouragement to our sheep inter-
ests, and with good prices for lambs gave a
fair seasons results. The tendency is to turn
attention to the mutton breeds Among
these, the different families of the Downs are
taking the lead. A flock of forty nine
| Shropshire Downs was imported from Eng
land in January, by Brown Hilton of Anson.
| Horses continue to receive their full share
of attention, and improvement is marked and
! rapid. Heavier horses are wanted Ior Dusl-
ness purposes and for draft, and much atten-
ton is given in this direction.
Pork products have run low the year
through, the ruling price for round hog
being six cents. There is no profit in the
business at such figure and the stock of
hogs is being reduced down to simply enough
to consume the waste of the farm.
! The institute work of the Board of Agri-
culture has been conducted in the usual man
ner. Every institute held for the year has
been under the direct supervision of the
! Secretary The members of the Board have
been drawn upon for a large part of the need
ed aid and lectures and papers have also been
| given by other competent men in the State.
| In addition to these services expert authorl-
ties from other States have been employed to
give lectures on their specialties. The in
/ stitutes have been well attended and there is
A call for much more work of the kind than
! is now provided for. The principal lectures
and papers given before the institutes will be
| found in this report"
The report contains interesting articles and
discussions on "State Aid TO Agriculture,
jurisdiction OF the Board
! of Agriculture" Municipal Taxs-
ton Why and How" Strawberry